irradiate

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irradiate¹

  • /ɪˈɹeɪdɪət/ US, UK

Rhymes with -eɪdɪət

Where it comes from

From Middle English irradiate (“illuminated, shining”), borrowed from Medieval Latin irradiātus, perfect passive participle of irradiō, from ir- (“against; into; on, upon”) + radiō (“to cause to radiate, irradiate; to emit beams, radiate”), from radius (“ray of light; rod, staff; spoke of a wheel”) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix) (further etymology uncertain; possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *reh₁t- (“beam; pole; post”)). The adjective is attested earlier than the verb.

The English word is analysable as in- (“against; into; on, upon”) + radiate.

adjective more irradiate · most irradiate

  1. literary, poetic Made brilliant or bright; irradiated, illuminated. There ſeek the Theban Bard, depriv'd of ſight, / VVithin, irradiate vvith prophetic light; […]
  2. figuratively, literary, poetic Made splendid or wonderful.

irradiate²

  • /ɪˈɹeɪdɪeɪt/ UK
  • /ɪˈɹeɪdiˌeɪt/ US

Rhymes with -eɪdɪeɪt

Where it comes from

From Middle English irradiate (“illuminated, shining”) (more at etymology 1), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

verb irradiates · irradiating · irradiated · irradiate

  1. literary, poetic, transitive To send out (heat, light, or some other form of radiation) in the form of rays; to radiate.
  2. literary, often, poetic, transitive To make (someone or something) bright by shining light on them or it; to brighten, to illuminate. Such vvere thy gifts, Pedmálá, ſuch thy povv'r! / For, vvhen thy smile irradiates yon blue fields, / Obſervant Indra ſends the genial ſhovv'r.
  3. literary, poetic, transitive To treat (food) with ionizing radiation to destroy pathogens. An inherent protection in labeling of the shipping containers will be the prevention of irradiating the commodity again, insuring that the produce has been treated within the safety limits established by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration].
  4. literary, poetic, transitive To treat (a patient, or a cancerous growth or tumour) with radiation.
  5. figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive To animate or enliven (one's mood, or soul or spirit). […] I therefore beseech God to give you his grace and blessing, and the influence of his blessed Spirit, that you may subdue and conquer the temperament of your nature, to do all things well-pleasing to him, and that may irradiate and strengthen your souls and direct you in all things, for there is
  6. figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive To cause (one's face) to look beautiful, happy, or lively; to light up. [W]e regarded with awe and reverence the sublime features of Madame Columbus, now irradiated with triumph.
  7. figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive To decorate (a place) splendidly. No vveeping orphan ſavv his father's ſtores / Our ſhrines irradiate, or emblaze the floors; […]
  8. figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive To enlighten (someone, their mind, etc.) intellectually or spiritually; to illuminate, to shed light on. This book might irradiate your mind
  9. figuratively, literary, often, poetic, transitive To send out (something) as if in the form of rays; to diffuse, to radiate, to shed. Mercury in any geniture, if he ſhall be found in Virgo, or Piſces his oppoſite ſigne, and that in the Horoſcope, irradiated by thoſe quartile aspects of Saturne or Mars, the childe ſhall be mad or melancholy.
  10. figuratively, literary, obsolete, poetic, transitive To influence (something) as if with rays of heat, light, etc. [T]he neighbouring Spermatick Veſſels are irradiated and virtuated by the kidneys, even as the Brain irradiates the lovver Parts, by an inbred property reſembling light.
  11. intransitive, literary, often, poetic To become bright; to brighten, to light up.
  12. intransitive, literary, often, poetic Often followed by on or upon: to emit rays of light; to shine.
  13. figuratively, intransitive, literary, often, poetic To emit something other than light; to radiate. [T]he pleaſures of ſenſe have no reliſh vvhere thou [Jesus] irradiateſt and teſtifieſt vvith our conſcience, that vve are the children of God, and have done thy vvill ſincerely, […]
  14. intransitive, literary, obsolete, often, poetic To diverge or be sent out in the form of rays. […] Moſes by approaching to God in the Mount, had a Communication of Glory or Light from him, vvhich irradiated from his Face vvhen he deſcended from the Mount.

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